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About this project

Protect your bicycle 24/7: before a race, at home, while at work, on campus, in transport, on the beach, or from theft!

Waterproof, UV & Wind Protected, Oil Resistant, Washable & Aerodynamic. Patented two-tone Bike Poncho™ protects bikes on a campus as well as it does expensive bicycles on their way to triathlons. It’s easy to put on and offers protection in harsh conditions, in transit, or when bikes are stowed in between use. Plus, this one-of-a-kind aerodynamic bicycle accessory folds into a compact pouch that fits under the seat, or in a gym or book bag.

My name is Mary Johnson, and I founded the company in 2008. I am a widow and inventor of a patent specialist, from whom I learned the ins and outs of new product creation and protection. Through my creativity and product design expertise, my dream and anticipation is to finalize two styles, the mountain and road bike prototypes, solidify manufacturing in China, and to bring several colours of Bike Poncho™ to market.

My inspiration? When I went with friends to pick up their daughter from college for the 2006 Thanksgiving break, I noticed rack after rack of unprotected bicycles left out in a steady rain. When the young student complained that her chain was already rusting early into the semester, I thought the logical solution was a waterproof, lightweight, wind-strong cover that would provide protection and security.

With a little further investigation, I found out that triathletes often 'protected' their expensive racing cycles with garbage bags before a race and realized that my idea might be well received beyond academia and into many other bike centric groups. Witnessing the drastic rise in city bicyclists across the globe who are commuting in everything from racing shoes to high heels to get to work and play. However, I had another motivation. As an avid sports enthusiast and environmentalist, I see the bicycle as a positive path to energy independence and a healthier world for all of us. Plus, in my hometown Toronto, Canada, and many other North American cities that are following in the footsteps of Europe and Asia, using a bicycle for transportation is becoming an increasingly popular way of getting around the city. In fact, cities like Toronto have been increasingly investing in the infrastructure for bike lanes, bike paths and bike friendly environments. All of this has convinced me that this was an idea whose time had come.

After two years building my Trademark, designing a stylish cover and functional pouch, another two years of testing fabrics for durability, UV quality and waterproofing, I spent the remaining years finalizing the best measurements for the Mountain bike prototype while receiving feedback from customers and clients at trade shows and events. The end result is a rugged, yet lightweight bike cover that's stylish and smart -- like cycling itself. After thousands of hours of sweat equity in its design, specification, and patent acquisition, I feel comfortable introducing The Bike Poncho™ to the world.

When I had that "aha" moment that led to the creation of the Bike Poncho™, I intuitively knew the concept had great potential. Using my own money, time, and wits, I have created a product that when people learn about Bike Poncho™, they often say, "what a great idea....why didn't I thing of that?"

Bike Poncho's™ mission is to become the sole provider for a unique, one-of-a-kind, extremely high quality bike cover that converts into a small portable or stationary pouch, and will occupy a niche market in the rapidly growing, eco-friendly bicycling industry.

Three of dozens of prototypes produced.

I hold the Patents on Bike Poncho™ in both the United States and Canada.

Canadian Industrial Patent Design No.: 133977

United States Design Patent No.: US D626.060 S

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a protective bicycle cover applied over a bicycle showing my new design;

FIG. 2 is a right side view of the protective bicycle cover;

FIG. 3 is a left side view of the protective bicycle cover;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the protective bicycle cover;

FIG. 5 is front view of the protective bicycle cover; and, FIG. 6 is a rear view of the protective bicycle cover.

Product

Bike Poncho™ is an international lifestyle product that is the only one of its kind on the market. The waterproof Bike Poncho™ is light weight and can protect virtually any bicycle from the damaging effects of rain, snow, sleet, and UV rays, plus it is oil-resistant. It has a unique, stylish, two-tone rip-stop nylon cover that is easy to put on, and folds neatly into a compact pouch that connects under your bike seat. Bike Poncho™ is also unisex, and comes in dozens of colours and in sizes specifically for road bikes and mountain bikes. It has a universal design to fit virtually any bicycle within these two broad types.

The Industry

Bicycling in the U.S. was a $6.1 billion industry in 2012, including the retail value of bicycles, related parts, and accessories through all channels of distribution, according to research funded by the National Sporting Goods Association.

39.3 million Americans age seven and older were estimated to have ridden a bicycle six times or more in 2012. Cycling is the seventh most popular recreational activity in the U.S., behind exercise walking, swimming, camping, fishing, exercising with equipment and bowling according to the National Sporting Goods Association.

Riding for transportation is a growing market that is important for the industry because it establishes cycling as a legitimate part of the nations transportation mix. The industry, as well as cyclist across the country, have strongly advocated for streets and roads to be made friendlier to bicyclists and pedestrians in recent years. Bicycles are important not only as vehicles to make an entire trip to work, but also as connectors for short trips from mass transit. Several cities and companies have instituted bike sharing programs that allow people to borrow a bike for transportation and return it later.

Bicycles are clearly much more than toys, and their combination of utility and recreation use continues to justify support for cycling-friendly roads, trails and related facilities. Cycling facilities construction is at an all-time high and both pedestrian and bicycle facilities have received an increasing level of support from the government in recent years. Better facilities continue to be an important factor in the industry's growth, as bicycles continue to provide Americans with a clean and healthy transportation alternative that is both practical and affordable. Bicycle use continues to be an potential solution for improving people's health, as well as contributing to more livable communities.

If we rode one 4-mile round trip by cycling instead of riding in our cars each week, we would burn nearly 2 billion fewer gallons of gas each year. At a cost of $3.64 a gallon, that's $6.6 billion in savings.

Summary

The purpose of this project is to raise funds by your generous contribution for the start-up, manufacture, sale and distribution of Bike Poncho. My dream would be to:

1. Product Design - Completion and specifications of both the mountain bike and road bike styles.

2. Travel to China to solidify custom manufacturing.

3. Bring Bike Poncho™ to market.

Bike Poncho Colour Chart

Risks and challenges

I feel confident that at this point in my journey with this product and my business, all of the kinks have been ironed out. I have built this cover and business from scratch, on my own, learning hard lessons along the way. Let's just say, as a perfectionist it was not an easy task. After years of working on this baby of mine, collaborating with hundreds of individuals and companies all over the world, I am satisfied that the specifications of my design are top notch and can be easily transferred to produce an incredible product. My knowledge, experience and will over the years, has brought me this far, where there is no turning back. It is my commitment to myself, to my son and now to you, that the finish line is right in front of me, and I will keep you updated every step of the way.

There are always risks involved when doing business. Especially when doing business internationally. In our case, for manufacturers in China there may be obstacles such as language barriers, manufacturing time schedules, and foreign business practices. To help us with these obstacles, we already have contacts in place in China to guide us through the process and make things run smoothly.